Tonga's elite soccer club, Veitongo FC, today won its first game of the Champions League Qualifiers tournament, defeating American Samoan team Utulei Youth Club by 3 - 1. The win comes two days after Veitongo's 4 - 0 defeat to Puaikura FC (Cook Islands) on Saturday. 

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League Qualifiers tournament kicked off on Saturday, January 28, at the Loto Tonga Soka Centre in Tongatapu..

The tournament  is made up of four elite clubs from Tonga (Veitongo FC), the Cook Islands (Puaikura FC), Samoa (Lupe Ole Soaga) and American Samoa (Utulei Youth FC). The winning team of the tournament qualifies for the 2017 OFC Champions League Tournament scheduled for February 25 next month.

Day 1, January 28

Veitongo FC 0 - 4 Puaikura FC 

Veitongo FC were defeated 4 - 0 by Puaikura FC (Cook Islands). Veitongo was handicapped by ill-discipline and errors, Veitongo collecting two redcards during the game. Puaikura was awarded a goal in the 56^th minute after a Veitongo player Unaloto Feao deflected a ball into his own goal. 

The redcarded players were Mark Uhatahi (sentoff in the 49th minute) and Hemaloto Polovili (sentoff in the 84^th minute). Puaikura lead 2 - 0 at half-time. Puaikura's points were scored by Maro Bonsu-Maro and Paul Rhodes (2 goals).

Lupe Ole Soaga 4 - 3 Utulei Youth FC

Samoa's Lupe Ole Soaga narrowly defeated American Samoa's Utulei Youth FC in an entertaining matchup. Lupe Ole Soaga lead at halftime 3 - 2. Lupe Ole Soaga's goals were scored by Suivai Ataga, Lapalapa Toni and Samuel Malo. Utulei's goals were scored by Kenneth Kerewi and Faalavelave Matagi.

Day 2, January 31

Veitongo FC 3 - 1 Utuelei Youth FC

The match was tied at halftime 1 - 1. Veitongo FC scored the first goal in the form of Kilifi Uele, he fired the ball through the net after recieving it from a free kick in the 13^th minute. Utulei Youth FC struck back in the 30^th minute with goal scored by Paulo Bourne.

In the second half, Veitongo FC surged ahead with goals scored by Halapua Falepapalangi (50^th minute) and Lafaele Moala (90^th minute).

Puaikura FC 2  - 1 Lupe Ole Soaga

Puaikura FC defeated Lupe Ole Soaga 2 - 1. Puaikura scored its two goals in the first half, both goals were scored within the space of a minute: The first scored by Kris Carpenter (29^th Minute) and the second by Maro Bonsu-Maro (30^th minute). Lupe Ole Soaga's only goal was scored by Keegan Inia in the 75^th minute.

All Teams:

Veitongo FC: 1. Mahe Malafu (GK), 2. Sione Tuifangaloka, 3. Sione Uhatahi, 4. Unaloto Feao, 6. Kamaliele Papani, 7. Kilifi Uele, 9. Mark Uhatahi, 10. Hemaloto Polovili, 11. Tupou Uhatahi, 12. Lafaele Moala, 13. Sione Kite, 21. Soane Faupala (GK), 8. Halapua Falepapalangi, 14. Vai Lutu, 15. Tuiakaetau Falepapalangi, 16. Fetuli Katoa, 17. Etilei Tuiono, 18. Ofa Kite, 19. Oliveti Vai, 20. Deep Kumar (GK). Coach: Timote Moleni

Puaikura FC: 1. Keegan Inia (GK), 3. Anthony Samuela, 4. Pekay Edwards, 5. Anthony Hobbs, 7. Samuel Maote-Cox, 10. Grover Harmon, 13. Tyrell Barringer-Tahiri, 14. Maro Bonsu-Maro, 15. Kris Carpenter, 16. Renta Yamamoto, 18. Paul Rhodes, 2. Jarves Aperau, 6. Kimiora Samuela, 8. Paul Poila, 11. Temata Karika, 12. Conroy Tiputoa, 17. Dwayne Tiputoa. Coach: Matthew Calcott

Utulei Youth FC: 1. Jonathan Fa'avae (GK), 2. Neemia Kaleopa, 3. Toko Vaieli, 4. Kenneth Kerewi, 7. Ryan Samuelu, 8. Leuatea Siatuu, 9. Kome Tomasi, 14. Paulo Bourne, 15. Joe Koroiadi, 17. Sione Moeaki, 19. Harvey Manu, 13. Moimoi Tualaulelei (GK), 6. Rajendra Singh, 11. BJ Fiaali’i, 12. Austin Kaleopa, 16. Iopu Kaleopa, 18. Pesamino Victor. Coach: Pita Sinapati

Lupe Ole Soaga: 18. Mataio Toetu (GK), 2. Vaalii Fa'alogo 3. Spencer Keli, 4. Vaa Taualai, 6. Darren Aalatina Talilai, 7. Lawrie Letutusa, 8. Samuel Malo, 9. Suivai Ataga, 10. Lapalapa Toni, 12. Suepasi Pelesa, 19. Vito Laloata, 1. Faalavelave Matagi (GK), 5. John Teo, 13. Michael Fifi’i, 14. Tauati Tanoai, 15. Faafua Ataga Laloata, 16. Ivan Faaiva, 17. Kareti Soafa. Coach: Paul Ualesi